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Grayling college students named to 2017 All-Michigan Academic Team

Two college students from Grayling were recently recognized for making the grade and for their leadership.

Rachel Carr and April Gugin, who attend Kirtland Community College, are members of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two-year colleges.

On March 15, Carr and Gugin were selected as members of the 2017 All-Michigan Academic Team as Distinguished Students from Michigan’s Community College at a ceremony held in Lansing. A total of 67 students from across the state were honored for their achievements.

The All-Michigan Academic Team is comprised of nominees from each community college campus in Michigan. Students were selected by their colleges in December, based on a comprehensive application process that takes into account their grade point average, campus and community involvement, obligations they have outside of college, and an essay describing their most significant endeavor while enrolled in community college.

Each student has a minimum of a 3.50 grade point average.

The students are competing for spots on the All USA team, which is sponsored by USA Today Newspapers, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and Phi Theta Kappa.

“These outstanding students have not only proven themselves academically, they are leaders on their campus and in their community,” said Kari Kahler, the Associate Dean for the Department of Learning Services at Northwestern Michigan College, and the Regional Coordinator in Michigan for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Carr, who is studying graphic design, said she was pleased to receive the recognition, which included an award and a medal.

“It’s bragging rights,” Carr said.

Gugin said being named to the team may open up some future academic opportunities.

“It basically means colleges will want you at their school with this recognition,” she said.

Gugin, who is studying social work and criminology, took part in Kirtland Community College’s graduation ceremonies on Friday, April 28. She completed some of her required testing at the new Kirtland Community College Health Sciences Center, which opened in August 2016 just south of Grayling.

“I love it there,” Gugin said.

A Midland native, Carr and her family moved from Las Vegas to Grayling when her husband, Jerremey, received a job teaching science and a host of other subjects at the Grayling High School.

Rachel works as a secretary for the Viking Wellness Center at the Grayling High School, which is funded through a partnership between District Health Department #10 and the Crawford AuSable School District.

Carr plans to further hone her graphic design skills through Southern New Hampshire University.

“I’ll probably take some time off,” she said. “The whole thing is online, so it’s really nice.”

Gugin will continue her social work studies through Madonna University at the University Center Gaylord, which houses a number of colleges that offers courses, degrees and certificates. Kirtland Community College, which operates a technical training center on the same site, assumed operations of the University Center Gaylord at the beginning of 2017.

“I’ve always wanted to go there,” Gugin said regarding Madonna University. “Now that they have one in Gaylord, I’m excited.”